Istook has sent a letter to the president saying he's concernedbecause ten days have passed since the state asked for directfederal assistance. He says the number of acres burned have doubledsince the request for federal help was first made on December 30thand one person has died.

The congressman says the state is making "heroic" efforts to fight the fires with limited resources and firefighters are becoming exhausted.

Istook asks President Bush to immediately declare an emergencyfor the state of Oklahoma.

Meanwhile, state emergency officials say Oklahoma's request for disaster assistance because of wildfires across the state has "gone up the chain" of federal agencies.

State Emergency Management director Albert Ashwood expressedsome frustration during the weekend that the Federal EmergencyManagement Agency hasn't provided more assistance.

Department spokeswoman Michelann Ooten said today the requesthas been forwarded up to the US Department of Homeland Security.Ooten says state officials have had several conference calls withfederal officials about getting help and the governor's office andthe state's congressional delegation are working to have therequest approved.

State officials declared a statewide emergency on December 30thand asked for federal help.

Ooten says the federal agencies have offered no reason why therequest for a disaster declaration has taken so long.

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